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Supporters of same-sex marriage in Utah submitted a petition with more than 32,000 signatures Monday protesting the state's efforts to fight a court ruling legalizing the unions.
The petition on change.org addressed to Attorney General Sean Reyes takes aim at the estimated $2 million cost of the legal battle to keep Amendment 3, the state's ban on gay marriage. It asks Reyes not to use the money of taxpayers who oppose the ban.
"To continue with this decision to use taxpayer money for something that is a religious matter is a violation of the separation of church and state," the petition reads.
U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby struck down Amendment 3 on Dec. 20, allowing about 1,300 same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on same-sex nuptials as the state appeals Shelby's decision.
Two other similar petitions with a total of 58,000 signatures were delivered Friday by activists after a rally that attracted more than 1,000 people.
Monday's petition was started by Sophia Hawes and wife Danilynn Tingey, both transgender women over 40 who see legal marriage "as vital to being able to adequately care for one another as they age," according to a statement.